1st Grade Classroom Expectations
2025 - 2026
Attendance
School begins promptly at 7:40. It is very important that children arrive at school on time each day. The doors open at 7:30. If your child is eating breakfast at school, please be sure to arrive by 7:15, so he/she has time to eat before beginning the school day.
Regular attendance is the most valuable ingredient in helping your child be a successful student. If your child is absent, please use the link below. Include your child's name, date of absence, and reason for absence. Although we appreciate phone calls, e-mails to the teacher, or a verbal verification, the district will not accept them. Thank you.
https://forms.dentonisd.org/Forms/absence-note
We dismiss at 3:00 p.m. Buses and day care riders will load at the front of the school, walkers will exit at the back of the school, and car riders will be picked up using car tags on the parking lot side of the school. If your child is a car rider, please make sure they know their car tag number. If your child has a change in transportation, a note, email, or a phone call (no later than 2:00 pm) indicating the change will be needed. If someone other than you will be picking up your child, a written note is required. If you are picking up your child early or need to get them without having your car tag, you must sign them out from the office. Our primary concern is the safety and security of your child.
Communication
Class Dojo and email are the forms of communication we will use to stay in touch. It's a place for us to communicate with you about your child's day. We also post pictures and other information about what's going on in first grade . If we contact you about an event or action from the day, please take the time to discuss this with your child. Thank you for your support and partnership in building students with strong character who can work as a team. This helps ensure our classroom is a safe, friendly, inviting place for learning.
On Fridays, a "Take Home Folder" will be sent home. The folder may contain information and upcoming activities from the school or community. There will also be classwork in this folder. Please remove all the papers and return the empty folder the following school day. Thank you for your help in ensuring you have seen your child's recent work.
Reading Homework
Early in October books will begin coming home for nightly reading. 1st graders are expected to read the 2 books that come home each night to an adult. The books will typically come home Monday-Thursday. Students will need to bring these books back to school each day.
First Grade Team
The 1st Grade team of teachers is a PLC (Professional Learning Community). We are committed to working together to achieve our collective goals. Students will be going to other first grade teachers and support staff, as needed, for small group or individualized intervention of essential 1st grade skills.
Snacks
Please send 1 small, healthy snack daily. We will have a snack in the morning each day.
Library Time:
1st grade students will go to the library for a library lesson and to check out books once a week. Please ensure that your child has their library book at school on the day their class goes to the library.
Library day is TUESDAY!
Birthdays
You are welcome to provide donuts, cookies, brownies, or other pre-portioned treats for your child’s birthday. Please check with your child’s teacher before you send something so we can make sure it doesn’t interfere with the allergies of others in our room. Send the treat by 8:45 am.
Party invitations may be passed out at school ONLY if each child in the class gets an invitation.
Rewards
To reward positive behavior and a great work ethic, we have Class Dojo Points. Dojo points are earned on an individual basis. Students use Dojo points to buy things ranging from “shoes off” to “treasure box shopping”. We will communicate any behavior infractions by contacting you through Class Dojo, emailing you, or calling you. Please know if your child loses a Dojo Point, he or she was given one or more warnings prior to receiving the mark.
We are going to have an amazing year in first grade! We look forward to watching your child grow and change during this exciting year of life.